HomeNewsDreadlocked Indian Ascetics Among 35 Million Devotees at Maha Kumbh Mela

Dreadlocked Indian Ascetics Among 35 Million Devotees at Maha Kumbh Mela

PRAYAGRAJ, India: Naked Hindu ascetics, their bodies covered in sacred ash, rushed into the holy waters on Tuesday, joining a massive crowd of 35 million devotees participating in the Maha Kumbh Mela, or Great Pitcher Festival. The festival, held every 12 years, is a deeply spiritual event where participants seek absolution from sins by taking a sacred dip.  

The ascetics’ “royal bath” is a central ritual, believed by Hindus to grant salvation from the cycle of birth and death, alongside spiritual purification. With chants, drumbeats, and their dreadlocks flying, the ascetics, adorned with holy beads and wielding tridents, spears, or maces, drew awe from thousands of spectators as they braved the freezing waters at the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati.  

“The crowd today was fantastic,” said ascetic Rakesh Kumar after his dip. “We need people to follow our faith and take part in festivals like this.”  

On Tuesday alone, 35 million people participated in the ritual bath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath confirmed, praising efforts to maintain order. The festival, which began Monday, saw nearly 15 million devotees on its first day. Over its six-week duration, it is expected to attract more than 400 million participants.  

Also read | Mahakumbh 2025: Over 1 Crore Devotees Take Holy Dip on Day 1 as 45-Day Festival Commences

The Origins and Scale of the Maha Kumbh Mela  

The Kumbh Mela is rooted in a Hindu legend where four drops of the nectar of immortality fell to Earth during a celestial battle between the god Vishnu and demons. Prayagraj, where one drop is said to have landed, becomes the epicenter of this grand spiritual gathering every 12 years, with the “maha” (great) designation making it even more auspicious.  

This year’s festival spans 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres)—equivalent to 7,500 football fields—with over 150,000 tents and nearly as many toilets set up for visitors. Around 50,000 security personnel are deployed to ensure the safety of attendees at what is considered the world’s largest human gathering.  

In past years, the event has been visible from space, with India’s space agency sharing satellite images in 2019. The festival’s budget this year is estimated at $800 million, with analysts predicting an economic boost of $30 billion to $35 billion.

For more such latest updates, click here.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisment -

Most Popular

Recent Comments